Emmerdale has already delivered plenty of shock exits, dramatic returns and cast shake-ups in 2026 and it looks like there is still a lot more to come before the year is over, so who’s coming and who’s leaving next?
From reports of major characters being killed off to huge comebacks that have fans buzzing, the ITV soap is continuing to keep viewers guessing over who will survive, who will leave and who could be heading back to the village next.
The latest announcement sees Serena Sugden arrive in town. But who is she and how is she connected to the iconic family? Fans aren’t convinced by the news, but will they change their minds?
Let’s take a look at who is leaving, returning and joining Emmerdale in 2026? Here’s everything we know so far.
Who’s joining Emmerdale?
Serena Sugden
New Sugden family member Serena is heading into town. Played by West End star Casey Al-Shaqsy, Serena arrives on screens later in June.
Emmerdale explains she will immediately find herself at the heart of the drama. She will be drawn into the aftermath of a character’s traumatic situation and is conflicted over it. But what are her true motivations for coming to the Dales and where do her loyalties actually lie?
Of the new arrival, Laura Shaw, says: “The Sugdens are a core part of the Emmerdale fabric, and we are thrilled to welcome Casey to the family. Her character will be at the heart of some extremely gripping and unexpected storylines, forcing her to make difficult choices that will have dramatic consequences for some of the village’s biggest names.”
Casey also shared her own excitement about joining the show: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining such an iconic show and playing a Sugden! Serena is a fantastic character with so much going on beneath the surface. I can’t wait for the audience to see the drama unfold.”
Fans call out new Sugden decision
Emmerdale has not yet confirmed how she is related to the legendary family. Given the last long-lost Sugden was murderous John, some viewers are extremely wary of the new arrival.
“Just don’t turn this one into an annoying prat that plays the hero and a psycho like John,” declared one on social media. Another agreed: “Please just don’t make her a homicidal murderer this time. I am ok with her being gay or having something special that makes the character pop. But please don’t make her into a John 2.0.”
However, it wasn’t the spectre of John Sugden that bothered most fans. It was the fact other main characters have been axed.
“A massive cast, storylines diluted yet actors like Olivia [Bromley] and Nick [Miles] are given the boot. More actors are coming in – what a kick in the bum. Boycott,” demanded one viewer.
Another questioned: “I thought Emmerdale was struggling with cash due to having actors being axed. Yet they’re bringing in new actors?”
“That’s it then Emmerdale your writers need to give their head a wobble. How can you get rid of Jimmy, Dawn and Vinny for budget cuts then bring in long lost relatives? It’s been done to death and for what gain? Write storylines for your established characters,” shared a third.
A fourth agreed: “Let’s get rid of decent characters like Jimmy and Dawn cos of cost cutting and then bring in new people, doesn’t make sense.”
So, who’s leaving Emmerdale in 2026?
Vinny Dingle
It was reported by The Sun over the weekend that Bradley Johnson, who plays Vinny Dingle, will be leaving the soap after seven years.
A source told the publication: “Bradley is a very popular member of the cast and especially close with his on-screen Dingle family.
“Everyone is shocked that bosses decided to axe him but it’s all part of the ITV cuts and they still need to trim back the cast.
“They are making less episodes so don’t need as many characters.”
They added: “Lisa is devastated. She adores Bradley and they have such a close bond. It just shows that no-one is safe.”
Emmerdale has made no comment.
Vinny got together with Lewis Barton earlier this year following his short-lived marriage to Gabby Thomas. Vinny was questioning his sexuality when he married her and things quickly ended between them after the nuptials.
Vinny and Lewis seem pretty loved up, but it now looks unlikely to last. So what will drive Vinny away from the village? Talk has already turned to the big summer stunt – will Vinny be one of the victims?
Jimmy King
According to The Sun, Jimmy King could be set for a heartbreaking exit after more than two decades on the soap.
Nick Miles has played Jimmy since 2004, but the report claims bosses are planning to kill the character off later this year in a storyline linked to Sadie King’s return.
A source told the newspaper: “Everyone is shocked and it shows that no one is safe from the budget cuts.”
They added: “Once the decision was made that Nick would be leaving, the writers quickly realised his character wouldn’t abandon his wife and children so they had to kill him off. That’s what made them approach Patsy about returning.”
At the moment nothing has been officially confirmed by Emmerdale.
If Jimmy does leave, it would mark the end of an era for the King family. He is currently the last surviving King brother after Matthew, Carl and Max were all killed off, while their father Tom King died during one of the soap’s most iconic whodunnit storylines.
Dawn Fletcher
Another reported exit that has left fans furious is Olivia Bromley’s departure as Dawn Fletcher.
Reports recently claimed Olivia has been axed after eight years in the role and is preparing to film her final scenes in the coming months.
A source told The Sun: “Olivia is adored by everyone at Emmerdale so the decision to axe her has not gone down well at all.”
The insider also claimed cast members were upset by the decision, while Olivia reportedly accepted the situation and is now preparing for her exit storyline.
Exactly how Dawn leaves remains unclear, though her current storyline with Joe Tate has already put her in serious danger. Although Dawn eventually decided to stay last week after trying to leave, her exit is still pending. Dawn could flee the village or meet a far darker fate – we’ll just have to wait and see.
Fears over who’s also leaving Emmerdale
Cain Dingle
Cain Dingle’s recent cancer diagnosis has sparked concern among viewers that the soap could be preparing for another major loss.
Cain has undergone surgery to remove his prostate, but there is still uncertainty surrounding his long-term future.
Speaking to The Mirror, actor Jeff Hordley hinted at the emotional toll the storyline takes on Cain.
“I think he’s faced with his own mortality here and he knows this is something that could finish him off,” he explained.
Although Cain survived the operation, viewers are now watching closely to see how he copes with the aftermath and whether the storyline ultimately ends happily for him.
At the moment, there is still hope Cain will pull through, however next week, Cain discovers his cancer has spread. He faces more treatment and a life-time of side-effects. Can he cope with the future?
Who’s leaving Emmerdale: fans hopes raised
Dr Todd
Villainous Dr Todd will be leaving the village and has been seen heading off to Sheffield for a new life. However, it might not be the end of her just yet.
The character has already made plenty of enemies after bullying Jacob at work and then blackmailing Charity for £100k over her baby secret.
Her last deplorable act before departing was sexually assaulting Charity. But will the police find enough evidence to see her face justice? Or is her new life in Sheffield really the end?
Who’s already left Emmerdale in 2026?
Several major exits have already aired this year:
- Celia Daniels
- Ray Walters
- John Sugden
Who left Emmerdale in 2025?
There were also plenty of departures during 2025, including:
- Wendy Posner
- Ella Forster
- Leyla Harding
- Amy Barton
- Suzy Merton
- Anthony Fox
- Brenda Walker
- Aidan Moore
- Gail Loman
- Kev Townsend
Who’s returning to Emmerdale in 2026?
Sadie King
Emmerdale officially confirmed last week that Patsy Kensit is returning to the soap as Sadie King.
Sadie first appeared in the village in 2004 before leaving two years later after causing chaos for the King family.
Now she is heading back to the Dales and producers are promising plenty more drama.
Laura Shaw said: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Patsy Kensit back to the cast and crucially to see the iconic Sadie King storm back into the village.
“Her return will be explosive and guaranteed to shock.”
Patsy also shared her excitement over reprising the role.
“I am really excited to return to Emmerdale. I treasure the years I was here before,” she said.
Kev Townsend
Another big return confirmed for later this year is Kev Townsend.
Chris Coghill will reprise the role months after Kev left the village following his dramatic storyline with Robert and Aaron.
Despite Kev’s darker side, the character quickly became hugely popular with viewers and many fans had been hoping for a comeback almost immediately after his exit.
Now he is officially returning with a new business venture that is set to shake things up in the village.
Laura Shaw confirmed: “Both Chris and the character of Kev made a massive impact on the show last year, so Chris is most definitely back by popular demand.”
She also teased more drama ahead involving Kev’s son Lewis, who still does not know Kev is his father.
Chris added: “Kev is a complex character that I love playing. He has psychopathic tendencies but also an energy and vulnerability that I think makes him pretty unique.”
Victoria Sugden
Victoria Sugden may currently be off-screen, but fans already know she will be back.
Actress Isabel Hodgins recently stepped away from the soap after welcoming her first child with husband Adam Whitehead.
Speaking to The Mirror, Isabel admitted she was looking forward to focusing on motherhood after nearly two decades on the soap.
Victoria temporarily left the village after the guilt surrounding Moira’s framing became too much and she headed to Portugal to stay with Diane.
In February, Isabel welcomed baby daughter Georgie Gracie Whitehead.
Cathy Hope
Gabrielle Dowling has also temporarily stepped away from the soap as Cathy Hope.
A source told The Sun that the actress took a break from filming to focus on her A-level exams.
The insider explained that Cathy would return later in the year once exam season had finished.
Her temporary exit saw Cathy head off on a world cruise with Brenda Walker, although unlike Brenda, Cathy is expected back in the village.
Tracy Robinson
Amy Walsh is also currently away from the soap after giving birth to her second child with husband Toby-Alexander Smith.
Tracy recently left the village to stay with Nate’s mum Cara as she tried to rebuild her life away from the Dales.
No return date has yet been confirmed for Amy, though viewers expect she could take a similar maternity break to the one she had following the birth of her first child.
Read more: Emmerdale spoilers for next week as Charity robs Kim to pay off Todd
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 8pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
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This article is updated regularly to reflect ongoing cast changes in Emmerdale.